Stoughton cops’ corruption trial begins

A 14-member jury also heard testimony yesterday from witnesses as the trial began in Norfolk County Superior Court.

Allan Stein

Jurors heard opening arguments in the trial of two Stoughton police officers who were indicted in 2005 on felony corruption charges.

A 14-member jury also heard testimony yesterday from witnesses as the trial began in Norfolk County Superior Court.

Sgt. David M. Cohen, a part-time lawyer, is facing 12 felony corruption charges, including the use of excessive force while armed and in uniform to extort money to collect a debt for a client in April 2002.

In January 2000, Cohen allegedly used his authority as a police officer in the arrest of Stoughton used-car salesman Jerard Viverito to help collect a $1,000 debt for the client of a lawyer friend and Canton police officer.

Stoughton police officer Robert E. Letendre is charged with filing a false written report to protect Cohen from arrest and prosecution.

The trial of former Police Chief Manuel J. Cachopa on charges that he colluded with Cohen is expected to begin in August.

In April 2002, Cohen’s client, Peter Marinilli, invested $10,000 with Stoughton business owner Timothy Hills. When Marinilli found out that his investment was at risk, he asked Hills for his money back.

Hills reportedly gave Marinilli a check for $13,115 although his account had insufficient funds. The complaint said Cohen represented Marinilli in recovering his money.

On April 30, 2002, Hills allegedly gave Cohen a $9,000 check drawn on an account that also had insufficient funds. Later, Cohen allegedly met with Hills and demanded the $9,000 be paid immediately. When Hills declined, Cohen allegedly placed Hills in handcuffs and had his car towed.

Cohen’s defense lawyer, Richard Egbert, argued that Hills became confrontational. He said Cohen saw what he believed to be a folding knife on Hills’ desk and placed him in handcuffs for his own safety. He also said that Hills’ vehicle was towed because the registration had expired.

Egbert said Cohen filed the police report that day, not three days later, as prosecutors contend.

He characterized Hills as a fraudulent securities agent who took Marinilli’s money under false pretenses, saying it would be placed in escrow, but that he quickly spent the money.

Special Assistant District Attorney George R. Jabour painted a much different picture of Cohen as a “bully” who abused his authority for personal gain.

Jabour described Cohen and Robert Schneiders, a Canton police officer and lawyer, as good friends who would often refer clients to each other.

In January 2000, Schneiders allegedly was attempting to recover a $1,000 deposit on a used car for the girlfriend of a client from the Stoughton Motor Mart.

On Jan. 20, 2000, salesman Jerard Viverito received calls from Schneiders and Cohen while working at the dealership demanding the return of the money. Schneiders identified himself as Jessica Dustin’s lawyer and said he was going to file criminal charges against Viverito if he did not return the money by 5 p.m. that day.

Jabour said Cohen told Viverito he had 10 minutes to pay the money or he would be arrested. Viverito refused, and within minutes three Stoughton police cruisers “descended like storm troopers” upon the car dealership, Jabour said.

Viverito was arrested and at the police station, he was allegedly forced to strip, then booked and placed in a holding cell, Jabour said.

Jabour said Viverito allegedly overheard Letendre ask Cohen, “What are we going to arrest him for?’’

Viverito was charged with larceny of a deposit in Stoughton District Court and was later found innocent, Jabour said.

In the Hills incident, Jabour said Cohen left Hills voice messages attempting to collect his client’s money.

“‘We can do it as my job as a lawyer, or we can do it as my job as a police officer,’” Jabour claimed Cohen said. “He wasn’t kidding,’’ Jabour said.